Brief Summary
The video provides an in-depth analysis of the Christian faith, focusing on the figure of Jesus Christ as depicted in the Gospels. It explores the historical development of Christian beliefs, the concept of the Trinity, and the evolving perceptions of Jesus' nature, from a prophet to the Son of God. The lecture also addresses textual differences in the Bible and encourages a comparative reading of the Gospels to understand the nuances and contradictions within Christian scripture.
- Christianity is classified as a monotheistic religion but includes the concept of the Trinity.
- The divinity of Jesus Christ was a later development, not explicitly stated in the Gospels.
- Textual differences and interpretations have significantly shaped Christian doctrine.
Introduction to the Lesson on Jesus in the Gospels
The lesson will focus on how Jesus is described in the Gospels and how the Christian faith was formed. The discussion includes the concept of the Trinity and examines biblical texts to find examples that support or refute the divinity of Jesus Christ. The main goal is to understand the Christian faith by examining the role and perception of Jesus as portrayed in the Gospels.
Christianity as a Monotheistic Religion
Christianity is classified as a monotheistic religion alongside Judaism and Islam, often referred to as Abrahamic religions. However, Christianity includes the Trinity—God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—which raises questions about its monotheistic nature. The relationship between the Trinity and the concept of one God is a subject of ongoing discussion and debate within Christianity.
Core Beliefs of Christianity
The central belief in Christianity is that God is one, often referred to as "Father God" in the Bible. However, this does not imply that Jesus is the literal son of God, similar to how Jews consider themselves children of Allah. Another core belief is the incarnation of Jesus, where God's word (Logos) became flesh and appeared as a son, sent by God to sacrifice himself for the sins of humanity. This doctrine of sacrifice is central to Christianity, with Jesus' resurrection marking the defeat of sin and death.
The Significance of Jesus' Resurrection
Christianity is heavily influenced by the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection, particularly the three days from his crucifixion to his resurrection. The resurrection is a pivotal event that sets Christianity apart from other religions like Judaism and Islam, where the deaths of Moses and Muhammad are marked by clear, known burials. The unique circumstances of Jesus' resurrection have led to extra roles and attributes being assigned to him within Christian theology.
The Development of Christian Creeds and Principles
Christian creeds and principles were not present at the time of Jesus. Jesus provided limited guidance on religious laws, mainly addressing issues like stoning adulterers and the Saturday Sabbath. The Gospels show Jesus modifying these practices, such as suggesting that only the sinless should cast the first stone in adultery cases. The Saturday Sabbath ban was another point of contention, with Christians later relaxing this stricture.
The Role of Jesus and the Abolition of Harsh Laws
Jesus' role was seen as a revelation with the power of the Torah, allowing him to modify or abolish harsh laws. This concept is supported by the Quran, which states that Jesus came to make lawful some things that were previously forbidden. Over time, however, Christians attributed more attributes to Jesus than were divinely decreed, eventually deifying him.
The Deification of Jesus and the Worship of Mary
Over time, Jesus was deified, with some traditions even elevating Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the status of "Mother of God." This led to the worship of Mary, particularly among Catholics and Orthodox Christians. The nature of Jesus—whether he was divine from birth or became divine later—was a topic of debate, leading some to believe that Mary, as the mother of God, also possessed divinity.
The Apostle's Principles of Faith
The Apostle's Principles of Faith consist of 13 articles established in Rome, emphasizing belief in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection. These principles also include beliefs about Jesus' birth, crucifixion, ascension, and return to judge humanity. The concept of Jesus' return is a significant part of Christian tradition, though some theologians reject specific hadiths related to this event.
The Fundamental Mission of Jesus and Salvation
Jesus' mission was to extend salvation beyond Jewish tradition, making it available to all people regardless of their lineage. Salvation in Christianity is tied to the belief that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for the sins of humanity. This contrasts with Islam, where salvation is based on monotheism and adherence to God's laws.
The Shift from Sharia Law to Faith-Based Salvation
Christianity diverges from Jewish law (Sharia) by emphasizing faith over strict adherence to rules. The belief is that Sharia failed to achieve salvation because people continued to sin. Instead, salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, with his suffering not diminishing his divinity but rather saving people from sin and death through his resurrection.
The Role of Paul in Spreading Christianity
Paul, originally from Antioch and Tarsus, played a crucial role in spreading Christianity. After a vision of Jesus, Paul converted and became a key figure in the Christian movement. He was particularly successful in Antioch, where the term "Christian" was first used to describe his followers. Paul's success was partly due to the less oppressive environment in Antioch compared to Jerusalem.
The Council of the Apostles and the Issue of Circumcision
A debate arose among Jesus' apostles regarding circumcision, with Paul arguing that it should not be obligatory for converts. This issue was discussed at the Council of the Apostles in Jerusalem, where it was decided that new converts did not need to be circumcised. Instead, they were to abstain from idol worship, fornication, and consuming blood or strangled animals.
The Council of Nicaea and the Nature of Jesus
The Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 AD to address the nature of Jesus and his relationship to God. Athanasius argued that Jesus, as the Logos (word of God), was eternal and uncreated, while Arius contended that Jesus was created by God before the universe. The council rejected Arius' view and affirmed that Jesus was of the same essence as God, leading to the establishment of the Nicaean Creed.
The Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon
The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD addressed the relationship between Jesus' human and divine natures, rejecting the view that Jesus had two separate, unmixed personalities. The council declared that Jesus had only one nature, born of Mary, and that the eternal word of God remained in this person. Mary was given the title "Theotokos" (Mother of God). The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD further clarified the nature of Christ, acknowledging two natures united in one person without combination, division, or change.
Titles of Jesus in the Gospels
The Gospels refer to Jesus by various titles, including "Son of Mankind," "Prophet," "Servant," "Teacher," "Word of God," "Lamb of God," "Son of God," "Messiah," and "Lord God." Other titles include "Savior," "Good Shepherd," "the Way," "the Truth," and "the Life." These titles reflect different aspects of Jesus' role and character as perceived by his followers.
Biblical Texts and the Perception of Jesus
The Gospels present Jesus as the son of David and Jesus of Nazareth, with Bethlehem and Nazareth being mentioned as his birthplaces. The public generally perceived him as a prophet, with extraordinary miracles attributed to divine power rather than inherent divinity. Even in the Gospel of John, which contains some of the strongest statements about Jesus' divinity, the overall portrayal is that of a prophet and messenger of God.
Textual Changes and Their Impact on Christian Doctrine
Textual differences within the Bible have influenced Christian doctrine. The Gospels are not a single, unified text like the Quran or Torah but rather collections of narratives from different perspectives. These differences can lead to varying interpretations of Jesus' nature and mission. Bart Erhard, a scholar of early classical texts, suggests that the Bible does not explicitly emphasize the Trinity in any passage.
The Importance of Reading the Bible Critically
The lecture encourages a comparative reading of the Gospels to identify contradictions and variations in the narratives. This approach helps to understand the human element in the transmission of Christian scripture. By reading the Bible from cover to cover, individuals can gain a more comprehensive understanding of its contents and the historical development of Christian beliefs.
The Nature of Revelation and the Gospels
The Gospels are not considered divine books in the same way as the Torah or Quran, which are believed to be direct revelations from God. Instead, the Gospels are seen as records of what the apostles and followers of Jesus were able to grasp from his teachings and actions. These records may contain variations and interpretations influenced by the perspectives of the narrators.
The Council of the Apostles and Dietary Restrictions
The Quran specifies that only Allah can make something haram (forbidden). Jesus, as the spirit and word of God, is the revelation itself. The apostles recorded what they could grasp from that revelation, but they sometimes got the emphasis wrong. The Council of the Apostles announced food prohibitions, except for pork, for those entering the religion.
The Council of Nicaea and the Creed of Belief
The state intervened at the Council of Nicaea to write a creed of belief, aiming to establish unity in the country. This was done with good intentions, but it led to a deviation from the original text of the Bible, where Jesus has no divinity. The original text of the Bible does not contain the same meaning that the local people attributed to the religion they believed in as God.
The Nature of Revelation and the Prophets
The Quran says that Allah speaks to everyone, but the revelation to the prophets is more comprehensive. The Quran says that Allah sends a prophet as a messenger to the house. The Quran says that the house was built in three ways. The subject of revelation is not an easy one.
The Importance of Reading the Bible and the Quran
It is important to read the text there. Those people, even our children, do not get the direct message from us anymore. Confronting people with their own texts on religious issues will be beneficial. Reading those texts together might be useful for those people in the West in terms of correcting their theologies and beliefs.
Textual Distortion in the Bible
The way to see textual differences in the Bible is by reading it horizontally, not vertically. Read the same story in different versions one after the other and compare them. There are contradictions in the lyrics of the scene of the trotting crucifiction incident.
The Resurrection and the Gospels
The first to go to the grave is a woman. Was there a stone in place somewhere? Was it rolled? How many people did they see there? There were some people. When you look at the details of the Bible, do not look at it as a divine book.
The Messiah and the Jews
The political figure is the Messiah. The Jews were under pressure from the Greeks. It was not possible for God's people to live under any other rule. They were waiting for the Messiah, the king. He was a political figure.
The Seder Plate and the Expectation of the Messiah
The Messiah expectation is still valid among the Jews. The Jews of Istanbul have a Seder plate. On Pesach or Pesover, the family sits down to eat. But one plate is left empty. The expectation of the Messiah still exists because they haven't accepted Jesus.
The Expectation of the Messiah in the Books Before the Gospels
The books before the Gospels mention the expectation of the Messiah. Isaiah gave him as a witness, a leader, and a leader to the nations. Salvation is possible in nations other than the descendants of Abraham.
The New Covenant and the Rejection of Jesus
Christians call the entirety of the holy books The New Testament, the new covenant, or the "Cavant." The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The Jews rejected Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew and the Judgment
This text says that Jesus Christ will be the one who will do the judgment. There will be hell punishment for the Jews and Christians. There are a lot of topics in the Gospels.
The Gospel of Mark and the Prayer of Jesus
In the Bible, is Jesus truly a divine being, or not? One of the best examples is Marcos. Jesus is prostrating. A snake crawls over his hand. According to the Gospels, is Jesus really God or a prophet praying to God's Father?
The Importance of Prayer and the Test of Jesus
Prayer is very important. Prayer reveals things to people as they see fit. Through prayer, God tells you something. Just by studying religion academically, God doesn't reveal or speak to you. The Jesus figure depicted in the Gospels is not a god figure. He is a human prophet and messenger figure.
